Chelsea are ready to offload record-signing Romelu Lukaku next summer, accepting a massive loss on the Belgian forward after a torrid time at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku rejoined the Blues from Inter Milan in a deal worth £102m in 2021, but endured a horrible first season despite scoring on his second debut. He recorded the fewest touches ever recorded in the Premier League against Crystal Palace (7) and openly revealed that he wanted to return to San Siro while still at the peak of his career.
44 appearances across all competitions yielded just 15 goals for the Chelsea no.9, a far cry from what was expected from him when he returned to west London.
And he has since returned to Inter on loan for the season, with the Italian giants paying just £7m to take him back for 12 months.
Currently injured, Lukaku is a doubt for Belgium’s opening World Cup clash but the Blues are hoping that a good World Cup will raise his price. And, as per reports, the Blues are open to his sale this summer, though they accept that they will have to take a massive loss on their investment.
“Chelsea have verbally agreed that the Serie A side can loan him again on the same terms next season. But their ultimate aim is to find new suitors as they look to recoup as much money as possible”, report the London Evening Standard.
The striker will be 30 years old by the time next summer rolls around, two years on from when Chelsea signed what they thought to be a striker in their prime. How much any club will be willing to fork out on a depreciating asset will certainly be of concern to the Blues.
